Another Goa

ISBN-978-8190568272

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One of Goa's most visible writers in cyberspace, Noronha presents some of his favourite writing in this collection. India's smallest state is facing a "population puzzle". Goa's population growth rate is below replacement, couples have babies later in life, childlessness is growing and yet such issues go unacknowledged. Besides, outmigration, land, corruption and the environment are key concerns that Goa needs to look more closely at, a new book just released suggests.  Noronha -- who has written widely for the outstation and online media -- selects 20 of his favourite works for this book. These issues seek to create a picture of a Goa that is often overlooked in the headlines and front-pages. One chapter looks at expats scattered far and wide, who attempt to retrace their roots in Goa, in the most diverse situations. 'Another Goa' looks at the writer's experiences with environmental journalism. The book includes a detailed analysis of Goa's experience with its own pioneering Right to Information Act passed in 1997. It delineates how a rather efficient law some got clogged with roadblocks in a few years time. Some off-beat interviews included ones with famed Goan artist F.N. Souza, whose works sell for millions, and the late Jagdish Nazareth. Gujarat-based Nazareth worked on promoting pro-biotic fertilizers, after being disillusioned with his mainstream management job. Looking at the Goan diaspora, Noronha writes about the life of Pio Gama Pinto, who along with pioneers like Aquino Braganza was one of the few Goans who took the side of a Black Africa while it was still struggling for freedom and de-colonization. Other articles touch themes of corruption, concerns over tourism in Goa, alternate local food, the Konkan Railway economic crisis, HIV/AIDS in Goa, and mining pollution. A couple of vignettes emerging from colonial Goa underline the simple and tough times of the past, and the treasure trail of Portuguese stamps. One chapter focuses on how a Right to Information query helped unearth crucial details and draw attention nationwide to the shocking number of crashes witnessed by the Sea Harriers aircrafts operated by the Indian Navy.